Weighing scale



lJuly 28, 1936.

R. H. HERRON WEIGHING SCALE Filed July 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /P/caro/ #b/fon INVENTOR ATTORNEY R. H. HERRCDN WEIGHING SCALE July 28, 1936.

Filed July 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ro E 6T N HN R ,w m HN T dl A w ,0 m

Patented July 28,

STATES PATENT OFFICE y2.0493296 .Y WEIGHING SCALE Richard H. Herron, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Toledo Scale Manufacturing Company,

Toledo,

Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application July 26, 1934, Serial No. 736,991

2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to weighing scales and more particularly to equipment auxiliary to weighing scales for displaying articles.

The most valuable space in a retail shop for display purposes is the space immediately in the vicinity of the weighing scale, as it is usual for the customer to follow the clerk to the scale and watch the weighing operation, thus more persons are apt to see articles displayed there than at any other place in the shop.

The principal object of my invention is, therefore, the provision of means on the scale.

Another object is the terchangeable.

Still another object is for displaying articles provision of improved means for displaying such articles in a position adjacent the customers indication.

Another object is the provision of means for displaying illuminated signs which are readily inthe provision of improved means for illuminating such articles displayed;

and

A sun further object is proved means for controlling the provision of imthe illumination of the articles displayed by means of the weighing scale.

These, and other objects and advantages, will be apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying preferred embodiment drawings, illustrating a of the invention, merals designate similar several Views.

In the drawings:-

wherein similar reference nuparts throughout the Figure I is an end elevational View of a conventional cylinder scale head showing my improved scale head display device in position; a portion of the being broken away to more clearly show the illumination control switch and its operating means.

Figure II is an end play device embodying my invention.

Figure III is a front elevation thereof.

Figure IV is a cross stantially along the line Figure V is a diagram o Ihe embodiment of my be used with many different sectiona elevational view of the disl View taken sub- 4-4 of Figure II; and,

f the electrical circuit.

invention is adapted to types of scales.

have shown it in combination with a scale of the so called cylinder type.

This type of scale being Referring to the drawin gs in detail:-

The indicating means located within the head of the scale, shown in Figure I, consists of a rotary cylindrical chart (I) comprising an enveloping sheet (2), on which weight and value indicia are printed, which is supported by plurality of light 5 metallic frames (3) iiXed to a longitudinally extending shaft (notv shown), iulcrumed in ball bearings situated in housings (4) fastened to brackets (5), extending transversely across the open end of a hollow cylindrical chart casing (6.) l0 adapted to enclose and house the chart (I).

Scales of the type shown herein are adapted to indicate the weight and value of a commodity weighed, this is accomplished in that the chart is rotated through an angle which is proportional l5 to the weight of the load. To accomplish this, ka pinion (1) is iixed on the chart shaft, adjacent one of its ends, in a position so that its teeth engage teeth of a rack (8) adjustably secured to the end of a vertically extending rod (9) whose 20 lower end is pivoted to a movable part of the load counterbalancing mechanism of the scale (not shown), the diameter of the pitch of the pinion is so calculated that for the movement of the load ycounterbalancing mechanism of the scale from 25 zero to full capacity the chart will make substantially one revolution, and its movement fora load weighing less than the capacity of the scale, will be in direct proportion.

The weight and value indications presented by 3o the chart (I) are visible through windows (I0) provided in frames (II) which cover the opening (I2) in the front and back of the chart casing (6). In the scale of the type herein shown electric lamps (I3) are provided. These are 35 situated within the casing immediately above that portion of the chart which displays the indications to the merchant and the customer and visible through the windows (Ill), for the purpose of illuminating the indicia and enhancing their legibility. Generally, and also in the scale herein shown, the operation of these lamps is timed and controlled by the weighing scale, they are energized when an article is placed on the scale to be weighed, and continue to remain in this condition until the article is removed. The purpose of this intermittent illumination is twofold, to conserve electricity, consuming it only at the time when light is actually needed, but mainly to call the customers attention to the weighing operation by the suddenly appearing light.

When a commodity is placed on the load receiver of the scale the rack (8) moves downwardly, since the rod to which it is attached (9) 55 is operatively connected to part of the load counterbalancing mechanism, which has a downward movement when a load is applied and a pin (I 6), made of dielectric material, studded into the end of rack (8) permits a contact point (Ii), secured to a fiexible switch arm (I8) of a make and break switch (I9), to engage a contact point fixed in an infiexible arm (2I). The switch (I9) being adjustably secured by screws (22) to a plate (23) fastened to the transversely extending brackets (5). The engagement of the contact points closes an electric circuit energizing the lamps (I3) and thus illuminating the chart (I).

As herein before stated, customers in a shop will follow the clerk to the scale and since the scale illumination draws the customers attention to the indication I have provided a display fixture (24) to be placed on top of the scale immediately above the indicating opening (I0) so -that the eyes of thecustomer 'must invariably fall upon any articles which are displayed thereon. The display fixture (24) shown herein comprises a fiat top (25), and downwardly extending sides, the bottom edges of these sides are shaped to match the contour of top of the casing (6) so that when placed thereon it rests firmly and its fiat top forms a surface admirably adapted for display purposes.

For the purpose of conveying a message to the customer concerning the articles displayed on my improved display fixture, I have provided a window (26) on the customers side and a translucent plate (2'I) of glass or other material on which appropriate wording may be painted or printed. Since the fixture (24) is not fastened to the casing the plate (21) isY readily accessible and being held in place only by clips (28) and thumb screws (29) it may be interchanged without difiiculty.

Immediately back of the window (26) and depending from the top (25) are brackets (30) which support sockets (3l) in which lamps (32) are screwed. A series of louvres (33) are provided in the fiat top (25) which are positioned so that light from the lamps (32) is adapted to fall on articles displayed. So that the illumination may be controlled by the switch (I9) of the scale,

wires (34 and 35) are shown (Figure V) con nected to the terminals of the lamp socket in which lamp (I3) on the customers side of the scale is screwed. If desired, to facilitate the removal, a connector plug (36) may be provided in the circuit.

It is obvious that the structure herein described is well suited to fulfill the objects hereinbefore stated. It is understood, however, that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:-

1. In combination with a weighing scale, a. display fixture adapted to be supported on said scale for the reception of articles, said display fixture having a fiat surface and integral portions shaped to match that portion of the weighing scale upon which the fixture is supported, brackets secured to said display secured to said brackets, there being openings in said flat surface adjacent said lamps, a switch, means whereby said switch is closed by operation of said Weighing scale, and wires leading from said switch to said lamps, one of said lamps secured to the said display fixture being positioned to permit rays of light therefrom to pass through said openings and illuminate articles supported on the fiat surface of said fixture.

2. In combination with a weighing scale, a display fixture adapted to be supported on said scale for the reception of articles, said display fixture having a fiat surface and integral portions shaped to match that portion of the weighing scale upon fixture, lamps A which the fixture is supported, brackets secured to said display fixture, lamps secured to said brackets, there being openings in said fiat surface adjacent said lamps, a switch, means whereby said switch is closed by operation of said weighing scale, wires leading from said switch to said lamps, one of said lamps secured to the said display fixture being positioned to permit rays of light therefrom to pass through said openings and illuminate articles supported on the fiat surface of said fixture, and a transparent sign in said fixture lying adjacent to one of said lamps and illuminated thereby.

RICHARD H. HERRON 

